Taming Ryder (Souls of the Knight 2)

“You were amazing!” Elle shrieked, throwing her body into my open arms. We’d just wrapped up the Christian Pacello shoot and I was getting dressed in my dressing room. “They adored you!”

“Yeah, I think it went pretty well,” I agreed. “I’d love to work with them again.”

“I have no doubt you will. And that video is going to be hot.”

I couldn’t disagree with her on that one. As well as stills, both alone and with some other guys, we spent several hours making a short film to advertise the brand. There was nothing explicit of course, just some light kissing, cuddling, posing together while looking right into camera etc. I was sure once they’d put it all together and edited it the video was going to be beautiful.

“This could be the start of something big,” she said, pulling out of our hug. “Would you ever consider modeling full time?”

“You mean, leave the porn?”

“Yes.”

“Sure.” I shrugged. “I’ve never seen the porn as a long-term thing, not because I don’t enjoy it, but because I can’t imagine anyone would want to jerk off over my wrinkly arse in ten years’ time,” I joked. “I guess porn is more of a stop-gap, until I find something I’m really interested in.”

“I still think you should come and work for me,” she said with a mischievous glint in her eye. “You were interested in that. You must’ve been or you wouldn’t have made such a great stylist so quickly.”

“It does interest me. I’m just not, I don’t know, passionate about it. Like you? You can see how much it means to you every time you pick up your scissors. Your eyes sparkle with just how much you love it. I didn’t have that, and I want it. I just don’t know what will give me that yet.”

“Maybe you should try McDonalds. You love fast food, right?”

After flipping Elle the bird and summoning a sarcastic smile, I laughed. “I’d best get going. I need to shower and change before coming to yours.”

Kip’s studio was ready and gearing up for its official opening. Tonight, he and Elle were throwing a party to celebrate and from the sound of it everyone in LA and their plus ones were going to be there.

“Sure. I need to get back and check on the salon anyway, so I’ll be leaving soon too.” She stepped closer and gave me a quick peck on the cheek. “See you later, gorgeous. And well done for today.”

Mason wasn’t home when I got to my apartment so with no one to talk to, I showered and changed quickly before heading straight out to Elle and Kip’s. I didn’t think Elle would be there yet but I was bored so planned to go and pester Kip until everyone arrived.

I drove to their house because I wasn’t planning to drink. From the way Mason had been tiptoeing around me this past week I clearly did something stupid the last time I got drunk and I wasn’t in a hurry to repeat it. Driving through the iron gates I noticed Matt waiting outside with some guy I vaguely recognized. He waved as I pulled up and starting walking over to me when I got out of the car.

“Who’s your friend?” I asked, inconspicuously nodding my head towards the man waiting for him.

“That’s Alex. From Kaleidoscope.”

“The bartender?”

“Yeah.”

“I didn’t realize he knew Kip.”

“He doesn’t. He’s here with me. Been back to the bar a few times. He’s a cool guy.”

“You’ve been back to a gay bar? Alone?”

“Hey, it’s a cool place. And, I never thought I’d say this, but it’s kinda refreshing not having chicks clawing at you every two seconds. Who knew you could go to a bar and actually talk to people?”

“Aw, my boy’s growing up,” I teased, clapping his shoulder as we made our way over to Alex. “Hey,” I said, shaking Alex’s hand. “Good to see you again.”

“This place is incredible.” Alex’s eyes were wide and gleaming with awe as he weighed up the grounds surrounding Kip’s gigantic house. I remembered the feeling well, but after becoming friends with Sawyer and the guys this kind of extravagance faded into insignificance after a while.

“My place is bigger.” Matt shrugged, stepping up to the front door. He opened it and we followed him inside. A few people I didn’t recognize were already here and I nodded in greeting as I made my way through the house to find Kip. I found him outside on the decking by the pool, adjusting the coals on the biggest barbecue I’d ever seen.

“Hey, Ry!” Kip beamed, wiping his hands down on his apron before giving me a brief one-armed hug. “How’ve you been, mate?”

“Good. I’m good,” I answered, trying not to laugh at the naked lady apron covering his clothes.

“Elle’s idea of a joke,” he said, staring down at himself and answering my unspoken question.